Kentville paramedic pleads not guilty to Rawdon sex assault

James Duncan Keats, pictured here making his way into Halifax provincial court June 13, is facing three counts of sexual assault and breach of trust in relation to complaints lodged by a 71-year-old woman from Rawdon, and a 32-year-old woman from Halifax.

A suspended paramedic accused of sexually assaulting multiple female patients has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from incidents alleged to have occurred in Hants County.

James Duncan Keats, of Kentville, was not present in Windsor provincial court Feb. 11 when legal aid lawyer Karen Armour entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf.

Keats is due to return to Windsor provincial court Sept. 29 and Oct. 3 for trial.

Keats, 48, is facing a total of seven counts of sexual assault and seven breach of trust charges stemming from alleged incidents said to have occurred in the counties of Halifax and Hants between Dec. 20, 2010 and April 21, 2013.

Seven women between the ages of 24 to 71 went to the police with complaints that Keats assaulted them while they were patients in his care. None of the allegations against Keats have been proven in court.

Keats was first arrested in May 2013 based on information a 71-year-old Rawdon woman shared with the local RCMP detachment. The senior citizen is alleging Keats assaulted her in the back of an ambulance in September 2012 and in her home, while responding to a call for assistance, in May 2013.

The charges against Keats multiplied after his initial arrest.

Keats is banned from practicing as a paramedic until the resolution of his court matters. He is released from custody on a $20,000 surety and serving house arrest.

The charges based on incidents that are alleged to have occurred in the Halifax area will be dealt with in Halifax.

James Duncan Keats, pictured here making his way into Halifax provincial court June 13, is facing three counts of sexual assault and breach of trust in relation to complaints lodged by a 71-year-old woman from Rawdon, and a 32-year-old woman from Halifax.